In a pulse-pounding showdown that will rank among the NFL's classic championship games, the Steelers broke the Cardinals' hearts to earn a record sixth Lombardi Trophy and evoke memories of Pittsburgh's title teams of old.

In blistering heat that brought down some of the fittest players at the Australian Open, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams left no doubt: They are the undisputed king and queen of their sport and may soon deserve berths among the alltime greats

Leading Off

Big Bend Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger goofed around in his agent's Tampa hotel room before leading Pittsburgh to a 27--23 victory in Super Bowl XLIII (inset; page 32). Seated on the bed was Pittsburgh practice-squad player Martin Nance, a friend of Roethlisberger's since they were college teammates, at Miami of Ohio.

Football Pool Pittsburgh safety Troy Polamalu wielded a cue stick at the Steelers' practice facility at the University of South Florida. Three days later he wielded the Lombardi Trophy in the team's locker room at Raymond James Stadium (inset).

Air Bag Steelers wideout Hines Ward zipped into a portable hyperbaric chamber in his Tampa hotel room two days before the Super Bowl. The tent provided oxygen therapy to help heal his right knee, which he strained on Jan. 18 in the AFC Championship Game. Ward caught two passes for 43 yards on Sunday.

Before he became the premier postseason performer of his generation, the Patriots icon was a middling college quarterback who invited skepticism, even scorn, from fans and his coaches. That was all—and that was everything